China terminates Japan's 20-year domination in Asiad judo


Chinese judo team topped the gold medal list for the first time at any Asian Games here in Doha, but players and coaches expressed cautions on Tuesday.
China snatched five gold medals and three bronze medals, surpassing Japanese team which grabbed 4 gold medals.
China "dethroned Japan from their 20-year domination of Asian Games judo" Japan's Kyodo News reported.
Japan, the birthplace the judo, has dominated judo contests in Asia for a long time and grabbed a record eight gold medals in 2004.
Though excited over the super performance by Chinese judo players, Chinese coaches and officials remained calm and expressed cautions.
"The players perform well in the contests, but there are still obvious lapse and lot of room to improve," said Xiong Fengshan, China's deputy team manager.
Xiong's view was echoed by Chinese coach Fu Guoyi.
"Though women's judo competition at the Asian Games is at world level, but the true test will be the Olympic Games," said Fu.
He added that the results at the Doha Asian judo contests can not fully demonstrate the true strength of the two teams.
Chinese sports official Song Zhaonian also said that judo players can not be carried away by the results.
Meanwhile, Japanese men's coach Hitoshi Saito criticized his players.
"We could not take advantage of what we had learned at the world team championships. We lacked the persistence to win," he said.
"I acknowledge the disgrace but come home with my head up high. I must say this is not the end, " he added.

Source: Xinhua